Magnolia boy whose throat was cut to remain in CPS custody for now

A 5-year-old Magnolia boy whose mother is accused of cutting his throat will remain in Child Protective Services custody after a hearing in Conroe today, officials said.

Michael Spurlock remains in the Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. He was placed in CPS custody by an emergency court order after being attacked by his mother on March 17, Gwen Carter, CPS spokeswoman, said.

Daphne Spurlock, 45, is in the Montgomery County Jail on a charge of attempted capital murder. She allegedly cut the boy’s throat with a kitchen knife and stomped on his chest and head because she believed demons were inside him, authorities said.

Tuesday’s hearing was an automatic follow-up to the judge’s emergency order and was an opportunity for the family to show cause that he should not be in CPS custody, Carter said.

David Spurlock Sr., the boy’s father, did not contest the state agency being Michael’s managing conservator, Carter said.

Under the conservatorship, CPS acts as the boy’s legal parent and makes decisions for him, but family members are still able to visit him one at a time in ICU, she said.

“There is a lot of family, and they all want to visit,” Carter said.

Judge Joann Otis of the East Texas Cluster Court in Conroe asked the family Tuesday to select two relatives to have home studies for a future placement for Michael, Carter said. The next hearing is expected to be in May, she said.

“Michael may be in ICU for a while,” Carter said. “He continues to need a lot of prayer.”